DICTATORSHIP v ersus DEMOCRACY”

INTRODUCTION:In order to understand the relationship of either dictatorship or democracy with

development, firstly we need to understand the meaning of these terms.

Democracy:Democracy is a political government either carried out by the people (i.e. direct

democracy), or the power to govern is granted to elected representatives (i.e. republicanism).

There are two principles that any definition of democracy includes; equality and freedom. These principles are reflected by all citizens being equal before the law, and having equal access to power. A third common principle, though less measurable, is that all citizens are promised certain legitimized freedoms and liberties, which are generally protected by a constitution.

The "rule of the majority" is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without responsible government or constitutional protections of individual freedom from democratic power, it is possible for disagreeing individuals to be oppressed by the "tyranny of the majority". An essential process in representative democracies is competitive elections, which are fair both genuinely and procedurally. Furthermore, freedom of political expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are essential so that citizens are informed and able to vote in their personal interests.

Popular sovereignty is common, but not a universal motivating subject for establishing a democracy.

Dictatorship:Dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is

ruled by an individual, the dictator, without hereditary ascension. It has three possible meanings:

1. A dictator can be like a Roman dictator who held the political office of the Roman Republic. Roman dictators were allocated absolute power during times of emergency. Their power was originally neither arbitrary nor unaccountable, being subject to law and requiring retrospective justification.

2. A government controlled by one person or a small group of people i.e. a form of government in which all power rests in a single individual or the system of one-man rule, as the rule of Hitler in pre-war Germany, and that of Mussolini in pre-war Italy. In case of Pakistan it was people like General (Rtd.) Pervaiz Mushraf and Zia-ul-Haq etc.

3. In present times, dictatorship refers to an autocratic form of absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law, constitutions, or other social and political factors within the state. An autocracy is a form of government in which the political power is held by a self-appointed ruler.

Development:Development theory is a consistent mass of theories about how desirable change in

society is best to be achieved. Such theories draw on a variety of social scientific disciplines and approaches.

Some important theories of development are,

1. Modernization Theory: It is a theory of development which states that the development can be achieved through following the processes of development that were used by the currentlydeveloped countries.

2. Dependency theory: It saw the world's nations as divided into a core of wealthy nations which dominate a periphery of poor nations whose main function in the system is to provide cheap labour and raw materials to the core. It held that the benefits of this system accrue almost entirely to the rich nations, which become progressively richer and more developed, while the poor nations, which continually have their surplusses drained away to the core, do not advance.

3. World systems theory: In response to some of the criticisms of Dependency Theory came World Systems Theory, in which the division of periphery and center was further divided into a tri-modal system consisting of the core, semi-periphery and periphery. In this system, the semi-periphery lies between the core and periphery and is exploited by the core and exploits the periphery.

4. State Theory: It is based upon the view that the economy is intertwined with politics and therefore the take-off period in development is unique to each country. It emphasized the effects of class relations and the strength and autonomy of the state on historical outcomes.

5. Uneven and combined development: It is a Marxist concept to describe the overall dynamics of human history. This theory says that countries had their own specific national history with national peculiarities. But at the same time, all the different countries did not exist in complete isolation from each other; they were also interdependent parts of a world society, a larger totality, in which they all co-existed together, in which they shared many characteristics, and in which they influenced each other through processes of cultural diffusion, trade, political relations and various “spill-over effects” from one country to another.

ROLE OF DICTATORSHIP IN DEVELOPMENT:

Dictatorship does not necessarily result in development, defined by human well-being (which incorporates education, health, income, and safety from internal and external threats) and even by personal discipline. Furthermore, there is no conclusive evidence proving that either dictatorship or democracy cause development. Nonetheless, we will prove dictatorships incorporate more control over the variables that define development, so in consequence are a better course to get to it. Also, these dictatorships guarantee the Social Order, which is a necessary prerequisite for any kind of economic accumulation process to be feasible. A form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small exclusive group of people, dictatorships are subject to response actions.

Advantages of Dictatorship: Dictatorships bring about development though efficient and straight forward decision

making. Dictatorship is a good breeding ground for personal discipline and order . Dictatorships better control the variables of human development Dictatorships resist to income Redistribution Pressures Dictatorship is a more economic institution: elections are a luxury reserved for developed

countries. Dictatorships regimes can be a path for countries move on from civil wars and focus on

development. Dictatorships have flexibility in economic policy that leads to growth . Dictatorship helps achieve social stability . The loger lasting and biggest economic miracles have occurred under dictatorships Dictatorship outperforms democracy in growth and economic development A dictatorship breeds order and is a needed step for both development and liberal

democracy. Dictators have incentives to promote development and diminish social differences .

Dictatorships resist to income Redistribution Pressures. The longer lasting and biggest economic miracles have occurred under dictatorships Dictatorship outperforms democracy in growth and economic development

Explanation:Having said that dictators bring about development though efficient and straight forward

decision making- we also have to consider the fact that they actually did not always get optimal results, and this failure or success comes from their decisions.

It indicates that there is nothing superior with the decision making by the dictator. There are advantages on control, and the ease of making decision (because no one controls them). These are advantages on decision making process, but there are certain drawbacks too.

The weakness due to the lack of checks and balances in the dictatorial government, enables the dictator to control anything, except the result. For the last argument, the evidence show how the civil war was ended by dictatorship, but no evidence directs it to a better development. So, these arguments may be true, but to link it back as supporting arguments of the motions is clearly wrong.

Even Pakistan returned to dictatorship in 1999 after 12 years of democracy and since the time of its establishment has been facing both dictatorship i.e. marshall law and democracy i.e. the elected government. In it’s case, development has been done in the time of democratic rulers e.g. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto etc. and also in the time of a dictator e.g. General (Rtd.) Pervaiz Musharraf.

If a sparrow always appears in the funerals, can we conclude that the sparrow is the grim reaper? Some people claimed that its’ the dictators who can settle pro-investment legal and institutional framework (e.g. Low taxes, subsidies, ensuring economical liberties), the only one who can resist from redistribution pressure, performs good economy policy, and by giving China and India as example, claiming dictatorship outperforms democracy (which was a wrong example, since it was all about economic policy).

For them, those are a natural characteristic of a dictatorship, for us it is just a random coincidence. If all good things that was claimed is really a natural character of a dictatorship, then we should not have witnessed the hyperinflation in Zimbabwe or the irregularities in Burma.

We are not going to play the same game as them, by concluding dictatorship just from the examples of Zimbabwe and Burma. We see all the examples as a whole, and by doing so we believe those cases just brings to us one fact, that dictator can do anything, and can decide anything. The result is varied from the economic miracle, to monstrous hyperinflation.

Some people say that dictatorship is a ‘more economic’ institution i.e. elections are a luxury reserved for developed countries. But there is no evidence that suggests that a cheaper government will do better development.

The last aspect of the dictators is that they have bigger control. This control allows them to promote development and diminish social differences. But it should be noticed, that democratic country can do the same thing. Moreover, from the motives it is done, social benefits in democracy is inbuilt in the power mechanisms of “one man – one vote” and form inevitable nature of society. On the other hand, dictatorship's incentives are merely formed according to an arbitrary judgment, prudence and free will of dictator.

At last, social stability that is proposed by dictatorship has a serious threat. The problem that is proposed was not fundamental, because it happened under bad management in Mexico, not because of the flaws on the system itself. Contrary to Mexico, Yugoslavia dictatorship stability was shaken, even though it is in a good management. When Josip Broz Tito died, the country's history ended. It is showed that while the democracy's succession failure was a case-based failure, dictatorship's failure is a systemic failure.

Disadvantages Of Dictatorships: Opposition defines ambiguity . Opposition baffled yet undeterred . Dictator’s decisions undermines the people and are unaccountable Development is not possible when there is no succession in the government . Dictatorship priority is to maintain power . Dictatorship brings profit to dictators and its small exclusive group of people, but not to

the citizens. Dictatorship is a threat to diversity and multi ethnicity . Dictatorship transforms national policies into irregularities . Good development should ensure freedom . Development occurs when a dictatorship reverts into democracy .

Example of Dictarorship:

1. Germany (Nazi):Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany between

1933 and 1945, while it was led by Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Worker's Party (NSDAP).

Germany conquered and occupied most of Europe and Northern Africa during the Second World War. Millions of Jews and other minorities were persecuted and murdered, particularly during the 2nd World War.

Nazi Germany was made up of various competing power structures, all trying to gain favor with the Führer, Adolf Hitler. Thus many existing laws were stricken and replaced with interpretations of what Hitler wanted. Any high party/government official could take one of Hitler's comments and turn it into a new law, of which Hitler would casually either approve or disapprove. This became known as "working towards the Führer", as the government was not a coordinated, co-operating body, but a collection of individuals each trying to gain more power and influence through the Führer. This often made government very convoluted and divided, especially with Hitler's vague policy of creating similar posts with overlapping powers and authority. The process allowed the more unscrupulous and ambitious Nazis to get away with implementing the more radical and extreme elements of Hitler's ideology, such as anti-Semitism,

and in doing so win political favor. Protected by Goebbels' extremely effective propaganda machine, which portrayed the government as a dedicated, dutiful and efficient outfit, the dog-eat-dog competition and chaotic legislation was allowed to escalate. Historical opinion is divided between "intentionalists", who believe that Hitler created this system as the only means of ensuring both the total loyalty and dedication of his supporters and the impossibility of a conspiracy; and "structuralists", who believe that the system evolved by itself and was a limitation on Hitler's supposedly totalitarian power.

ROLE OF DEMOCRACY IN DEVELOPMENT:

Democracy is the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives. It is opposite to the concept of dictatorship.

Advantages Of Democracy:

Democracy can provide for changes in government without violence. In a democracy, power can be transferred from one party to another by means of elections. The jurisdiction of the citizens of a nation determines its ruling authority.

Moreover, any government is bound by an election term after which it has to compete against other parties to regain authority. This system prevents monopoly of the ruling authority. The ruling party has to make sure it works for its people for it cannot remain being the authority after completing its term unless re-elected by the people.

This brings in a feeling of obligation towards the citizens. The ruling authorities owe their success in the elections to the citizens of the nation. This results in a feeling of gratefulness towards the people. It can serve as their motivation to work for the people for it is the common masses that have complete power over choosing their government.

Another important advantage of democracy is that the people gain a sense of participation in the process of choosing their government. They get the opportunity to voice their opinions by means of electoral votes. This gives rise to a feeling of belongingness in the minds of the people towards their society.

Disadvantages of Democracy:

In a democratic nation, it is the citizens who hold the right to elect their representatives and their governing authorities. According to a common observation, not all the citizens are fully

aware of the political scenario in their country. The common masses may not be aware of the political issues in society. This may result in people making the wrong choices during election.

As the government is subject to change after every election term, the authorities may work with a short-term focus. As they have to face an election after the completion of each term, they may lose focus on working for the people and rather focus on winning elections.

Another disadvantage of democracy is that mobs can influence people. Citizens may vote in favor of a party under the influence of the majority. Compelled or influenced by the philosophies of those around, a person may not voice his/her true opinion.

Every form of government is bound to have some shortfalls. Different people have different views about the various political systems. The advantages and disadvantages of any political system have to be weighed carefully in order to arrive at any conclusion.

1. AUSTRIA Austria is one of the 12 richest countries in the world in terms of GDP (Gross domestic

product) per capita, has a well-developed social market economy, and a high standard of living. Until the 1980s, many of Austria's largest industry firms were nationalised; in recent years, however, privatisation has reduced state holdings to a level comparable to other European economies. Labour movements are particularly strong in Austria and have large influence on labour politics. Next to a highly-developed industry, international tourism is the most important part of the national economy. Austria’s HDI is 0.955 according to survey in 2009.

2. JAPANJapan is a major economic power and has the world's second-largest economy by nominal

GDP and the third largest in purchasing power parity. It is also the world's fourth largest exporter and sixth largest importer. It is also the only Asian country in the G8 and is currently serving as an elected member of the UN Security Council. Although Japan has officially renounced its right to declare war, it maintains a modern and extensive military force which is employed in self-defense and peacekeeping roles. It is a developed country with very high living standards (10th highest HDI). Japan has the highest life expectancy of any country in the world (according to both the UN and WHO estimates) and the third lowest infant mortality rate.

Japan is the second largest economy in the world, after the United States, at around US$5 trillion in terms of nominal GDP and third after the United States and China in terms of purchasing power parity. Banking, insurance, real estate, retailing, transportation, telecommunications and construction are all major industries. Japan has a large industrial capacity and is home to some of the largest, leading and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods. The service sector accounts for three quarters of the gross domestic product.

Japan's exports amounted to 4,210 U.S. dollars per capita in 2005. Japan's main export markets are the United States 22.8%, the European Union 14.5%, China 14.3%, South Korea 7.8%, Taiwan 6.8% and Hong Kong 5.6% (for 2006). Japan's main exports are transportation equipment, motor vehicles, electronics, electrical machinery and chemicals. Japan's main import markets are China 20.5%, U.S. 12.0%, the European Union 10.3%, Saudi Arabia 6.4%, UAE 5.5%, Australia 4.8%, South Korea 4.7% and Indonesia 4.2% (for 2006). Japan's main imports are machinery and equipment, fossil fuels, foodstuffs (in particular beef), chemicals, textiles and raw materials for its industries. Japan’s HDI is 0.960 in 2009.

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